News and information

Daily news bulletins are a core part of Kanal 5’s schedule, covering national politics, the economy and international affairs. The channel’s news brand is a familiar reference point for viewers following current events in the country.

Entertainment and primetime

In the evenings and at weekends, Kanal 5 leans on entertainment: domestic formats, popular international series and feature films, typically subtitled or dubbed into Macedonian. This mix has helped the channel build a broad, loyal audience.

Sport and special events

Kanal 5 has carried sport and major live events over the years, adding to its appeal as a general-entertainment channel for the whole household.

How to watch Kanal 5

Kanal 5 broadcasts in Macedonian and is free-to-air nationally. To watch live online, use the channel’s official website or app, or a licensed cable, IPTV or satellite provider. Viewers abroad can often access it through licensed diaspora IPTV packages. Because the line-up changes seasonally, the channel’s official program page is the best place to confirm what is on today. See our Kanal 5 channel guide for more.

A public-service mission

Public broadcasting in the country dates back to the 1960s, and MRT has served as the national broadcaster ever since. MRT 1 is funded to provide impartial news and programming in the public interest, rather than purely for commercial audiences.

What MRT 1 broadcasts

The channel’s schedule blends national news and current affairs with cultural and educational programming, documentaries, coverage of state occasions and parliamentary sessions, and general entertainment. MRT also operates additional services covering parliament, culture and audiences abroad.

Programming for the diaspora

Through satellite and online distribution, MRT 1 and its sister channels are accessible to Macedonians living abroad, helping the diaspora stay connected to news and culture from home.

How to watch MRT 1

MRT 1 is free-to-air nationally and broadcasts in Macedonian, with some programming in other languages spoken in the country. To watch live online, use MRT’s official website or app, or a licensed TV provider. For more detail, see our MRT 1 channel guide.

Official broadcaster websites and apps

Most major Macedonian channels offer a live stream and on-demand catch-up through their own official websites and mobile apps. This is usually the simplest and most reliable way to watch a specific channel live, and it is free for free-to-air stations.

Licensed TV providers

Macedonian cable, IPTV and satellite operators carry the national channels as part of their packages. If you already subscribe to a TV provider, you can often watch live through its companion app on a phone, tablet or smart TV.

Watching from abroad

For the diaspora, several licensed IPTV services bundle Macedonian channels for international audiences, and the broadcasters’ own apps may be available depending on your region. Availability varies by provider and country, so check the official channel pages for the options that work where you live.

Why choose official sources

Unofficial streams are often unstable, low-quality and may expose your device to security risks. Watching through official platforms supports the channels that produce the news and shows you enjoy. For direct links and details on each station, browse our channel guides.

The public broadcaster

MRT 1 is the flagship channel of Macedonian Radio-Television, the country’s public service broadcaster. It carries national news, cultural and educational programming, live state and parliamentary events, and general entertainment with a public-interest remit.

The major commercial channels

Sitel TV is consistently among the most-watched stations in the country, best known for its evening news bulletin Dnevnik and a strong entertainment line-up. Kanal 5 is another leading commercial broadcaster, mixing daily news with films, series and sport. Telma has built its reputation on news and current-affairs journalism, while Alfa TV offers a national mix of news, talk and entertainment.

Dedicated news

24 Vesti is a rolling-news channel devoted to continuous coverage of domestic and international events, with frequent bulletins, analysis and live reports throughout the day.

How to watch

All of these channels broadcast in Macedonian and are available free-to-air within the country. The safest way to watch them live online is through each broadcaster’s own official website and mobile app, or via licensed cable, IPTV and satellite providers. Viewers in the diaspora can usually access them through official apps and licensed IPTV packages that bundle Macedonian channels.

Explore our individual channel guides for more detail on each station’s programming and the official ways to tune in.

What Dnevnik covers

The bulletin reports on domestic politics, the economy, social affairs, regional developments in the Balkans and major international stories. It combines anchor-led reporting with field correspondents, interviews and analysis, presenting the day’s events in a structured nightly format.

Why it is so widely watched

Sitel has long ranked among the most-watched channels in the country, and Dnevnik anchors its prime-time schedule. Its reach extends beyond Macedonia through satellite and online distribution, making it a familiar fixture for the diaspora as well.

When and how to watch

Dnevnik airs in the evening, though exact timing can shift with Sitel’s seasonal schedule, so it is best to confirm on the channel’s official program page. To watch live, use Sitel’s official website or mobile app, or a licensed TV provider that carries the channel. Catch-up segments are often available through Sitel’s official online archive.

For more on Sitel’s wider programming and the official ways to tune in, see our Sitel TV guide.

Debate and current affairs

Debate programs typically gather guests with opposing viewpoints to examine political and social questions in depth. On the public broadcaster MRT 1, long-running discussion formats focus on national affairs, while commercial channels run their own current-affairs strands tied to their evening news.

Interview and investigative formats

Alongside panel debates, Macedonian TV features interview-led and investigative programs that profile a single guest or dig into a specific topic. These shows often set the agenda for public discussion and are widely shared and quoted in the days that follow.

Political talk shows

Political talk shows hosted by well-known presenters are among the most-discussed programs on Macedonian television, blending interviews, commentary and audience engagement. Their tone ranges from formal policy discussion to livelier opinion-driven debate.

How to follow these programs

Most talk and debate shows are tied to a specific channel’s schedule and can be watched live through that broadcaster’s official website or app, or via a licensed TV provider. Many episodes are later posted to the channels’ official online archives and video pages. To find the talk programming on each station, start from our individual channel guides.